Image

UPDATED: Three health care workers in COVID-19 unit at Bluewater Health test positive

June 18, 2020

Bluewater Health is in the middle of a COVID-19 outbreak.

Three staff members of the staff tested positive for the virus . The first came to light Saturday and the third staff member positive result came in Wednesday. The ministry of health says a hospital with more than two positive cases of COVID-19 is in an outbreak.

Officials say all three cases were the COVID-19 unit helping with the Vision Nursing Home residents. The Vision residents were sent back to the Sarnia home Monday and the unit has now been shut down, says Bluewater Health Communications Chief Julia Oosterman.

The three staff members are isolating at home.

Officials say they are confident they will be able to get the outbreak under control as they have each time COVID-19 has been in the hospital. There have been 15 cases in staff members since the pandemic began.

Oosterman says officials are searching for the source of the virus although she says it was “not a failure” of the use of personal protective equipment.

Oosterman adds members of the COVID-19 unit will all be tested and public health is now working to find out who might have been in contact with the three health care workers.

“I think this is kind of stark reminder that COVID still here,” says Oosterman. “You even see it in your own personal life or even walking people having playdates and people are wearing masks at the grocery store. But you know, we have to remember that COVID is still very much present in our community.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Parts of Petrolia Line, Rokeby to be turned to gravel

September 21, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent There will be more gravel roads in Brooke-Alvinston before winter or at least patches of gravel. Brooke-Alvinston councillors have agreed to tear up the asphalt in sections of two roads which have been damaged and repaired countless times. Public Works Supervisor Jamie Butler recommended tearing up about 700 meters of asphalt on Petrolia Line east of Nauvoo

Read More

Image
Front Page

Imperial Oil’s $100M turnaround starts

September 21, 2026

The Independent About 1,000 contractors are getting to work on Imperial Oil’s $100 million turnaround this week. The company, in a social media post, says process units will be safely shut down first, which could cause increased flaring. “Safety remains our highest priority. Extensive planning and preparation have gone into this turnaround to help protect our workforce, neighbours, and the

Read More

Image
Front Page

McGregor heads to camp ahead of a pair of international events

September 21, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent Not surprisingly, veteran Tyler McGregor of Forest is one of 25 players named to Team Canada’s Para hockey training camp this month in Surrey, BC. The camp runs from Sept. 20-25 and is a lead up to two prominent international events. Team Canada will participate in the International Para Cup in Czechia next month and then be

Read More

Image
Front Page

Walkers, runners and bikers take part in Terry Fox Run in Lambton

September 21, 2026

The Independent Families, hockey teams, and neighbours joined to fight cancer across Lambton County this weekend in the annual Terry Fox Run. Petrolia’s event has topped $45,000 this year. The Terry Fox Foundation website says the Sarnia run has brought in over $51,000, Alvinston’s over $3,200 and the Dresden run over $40,000 this year. The memorial run has raised over

Read More